QUICK SUMMARY
The Kent Independent Salary Commission has approved a 3.6% cost-of-living pay increase for Mayor Dana Ralph and the City Council, elevating the mayor's salary to $219,720 and part-time council members to $37,296 annually. This decision, made during a March 23 meeting, reflects the commission's ongoing commitment to reassess compensation based on comparative city salaries. The adjustments position Kent's elected officials competitively within the region's municipal salary landscape.
The Kent Independent Salary Commission has approved a 3.6% cost-of-living pay increase for Mayor Dana Ralph and the City Council, effective in 2025. Following a meeting on March 23, the mayor's salary will increase to $219,720, while part-time council members will receive $37,296 annually. This decision builds on previous adjustments, including a significant raise in 2023 that brought the mayor’s salary from $168,141 to $198,000. The commission's goal is to ensure that Kent's elected officials remain competitive with salaries in comparable cities like Federal Way and Renton. The revised compensation places Kent's council members at the highest pay level among nearby municipalities. The commission's analysis excluded larger cities like Seattle to maintain comparability with similarly sized populations. Members of the commission, including Julie Miller, Pat Hanis, and Bill Cogswell, are tasked with reviewing these salaries each year. The ongoing adjustments reflect a commitment to fair compensation for public service in Kent.